Murder squad detectives hunting the killer of Sara Cameron made fresh appeals today as the anniversary of her death approaches.

Murder squad detectives hunting the killer of Sara Cameron made fresh appeals today as the anniversary of her death approaches.

Police say it is agonising for Sara's parents to know her killer is still at large almost a year after her death.

Officers are still working at full stretch to catch the 23-year-old's killer before April 21 - the first anniversary of her murder.

So far more than 2,000 men have been eliminated through DNA tests, while officers have visited more than 3,000 homes in house-to-house inquiries.

Finnish-born Sara was attacked as she walked home from Shiremoor Metro Station to Earsdon, North Tyneside, on the A186 at around midnight before Good Friday last year.

Det Supt Steve Bolam, leading the hunt, said: "We are as determined as ever to catch this man - nothing has been scaled down.

"It is a painstaking process and we are still visiting homes, taking DNA swabs and following up new leads.

"I hope we do not get to the one year anniversary of Sara's death without catching this man. I am in constant contact with her mum and dad, but I cannot comprehend what it must be like for them.

"I still believe that the person who did this had a good knowledge of the area.

"We've liaised with other police forces and so far we are satisfied there are no links with any other crimes.

"We have had a good response from the release of stills last month, but there are still four people we need to trace so they can be eliminated from the inquiry."

The athletic Northumbria University student had been due to travel to the Sydney Olympics to gain experience in sports management.

Police want to talk to a man pictured at Whitley Bay Metro Station at 7.35pm on Thursday, April 20, wearing a red jacket with distinctive black and white stripes across the back and shoulders. He boarded the same train which Sara caught into Newcastle that night.

They also need to contact three young men pictured in Monument Metro Station before 11.30pm, one carrying a drink. They are believed to have caught Sara's train. Anyone with information should contact the incident room on (0191) 2146555 ext 63101.